Isolation

Mina followed Lisette to the ancient elevator wordlessly. She was still shaking the effects of the drugs from her mind as she noted that the "nurse" had hit the button for the basement instead of the loft office that she had met the doctor in previously. She didn't know what else Donovan could throw at her, but whatever it was; she just wanted it over. The flaking paint betrayed the age of the building by revealing the rusting beams and supports of the institution as the lift groaned as it descended.

"You were only partially right, you know. I left once; after my initial treatment. I went to study psychiatric nursing in Brisbane. My former fiance' lived there at the time. I got my degree and applied here as soon as I could." she turned to Mina and smiled weakly. She produced a small, worn diary and held it briefly before handing it to the girl. "Here. It'll be a few hours before everything is ready, so you might as read about just what the doctor can help you get through. With his methods, you'll find you can survive and overcome anything... no matter how horrible." Mina took the diary, her resolve to see this through shaken. Was this part of the process? She couldn't tell anymore.

The lift rattled to a stop on the lowest level. Everything here was dark and damp. They were below the cells that were reserved for the worst of Donovan, below the cell she stayed in and awoke from a nightmare to the reality of another one. "Wash yourself and put on the clothing laying on the bed in the 3rd cell. The doors will not be locked, but no need to worry as you are the only one down here. Isolation and detoxification are necessary for the procedure to work to its fullest effect. I'll retrieve you once the treatment room is set up." Lisette said, never exiting the elevator. Mina stepped out, clutching the diary and shivering slightly from the cold. The lift began to ascend, and Lisette offered one final thought. "You know, you are quite brave. I've been here for years being prepared but have never had the courage for the final treatment. I wish you well."

A deeper chill ran through Mina. She wasn't sure of the intent of the nurse's words, but they did nothing to put her mind at ease. She looked around as she walked to Cell 3. The walls oozed moisture and mold down here. There were only six cells, she saw, and each were made of thick, iron bars, a single metal toilet, and a floor drain with a chain operated showerhead. The entire floor was dead quiet save for a few drips of water. Not knowing what else to do, she peeled her tank top off and slid her stained scrub pants down her legs, and stepped under the showerhead. She pulled the chain and listened to the seldom used pipes groan in response. A puff of rust and dark water splashed on to her pale, nude body before a fountain of frigid water shocked her mind out the sense of foreboding.

Mina attempted to cover her sensitive areas from the water, but the icy chill slid between her fingers and onto her delicate nipples, ran down her stomach and followed the curve of her hip bones to slide between quivering thighs, and run down her back and over her tender bum. She shivered and involuntarily laughed at herself. The water soon warmed, and welcomed it in the cold, damp basement. She washed herself as best she could, and dried off with her tank top. It was then she turned her attention to the attire she was to wear.

She chuckled at first, thinking it was some sort of bellydance costume. The bottom consisted of a hip belt with polished copper disks inlaid with strange symbols that had was adorned with two semi see-through panels in the front and the back; they too lined with smaller copper disks on a black cloth border. The top consisted of a leather choker with a ring in the center from which emanated a triangular piece of semi see through fabric that seemed to serve as a bra. Thankfully beneath those was a warm looking black robe. A dark thought crept into her head. This wasn't just some kinky fetish thing. Each of these things had a purpose.

She slid the belt over her legs, and was surprised by how well it hugged her hips and ass. She turned a half turn, watching the panels sway back and forth. Next, she tightened the collar around her neck and tied the fabric behind her back. She noted that it both lifted her breasts and stimulated her nipples as she moved. Its translucent nature did nothing to hide her erect nipples.

After the first hour of waiting, dread turned gradually to boredom. She wandered the area, surveying the empty cells, the abandoned administrative desk with accompanying calendar on the wall from 1947, and of course the steps leading down the bomb shelter door. By the second hour she sat on her cell's bed, and thumbed open Lisette's diary. The first twenty or so pages were typical. She was so delighted to be engaged, worried about her student loans, etc. Occasionally, she would mention that she "did it" again without elaborating. It was on page 46 that things started to make sense.

Seems Lisette was a bit of kleptomaniac. On page 46, she wrote a single short entry. "I got caught." The following page may have had writing, but the mad scribbling of frantic mind hit it all in a thousand swirls and desperate hashmarks. On page 48, she wrote it down. "I was in a convenience store, and I couldn't control myself. I pocketed a Snickers bar. The cashier saw me, and started cursing at me in Korean. I froze. He called his brother over, and had him lock the door. They took me to the back room and "punished" me. They violated every entrance they could fit in, and when they were done they invited the bums in from the street to have a go at me. I don't know how many. I know they found me in an alley the next day, being sodomized by a crack addict."

Mina held her hand to her mouth as she turned the page. It contained a single line. "I suppose I'll kill myself soon." She turned the page, and noted that a fresh pen was being used. She skimmed the first lines of the following pages for any more details. "Seems Edward believes I can be helped in some damned "retreat" in the middle of the ocean. I've little faith in this." The next entry: "I've just gotten my diary back after Dr Redburne's amazing treatment. I can't believe it worked so well! At first, I was revolted by what he wanted..." was all Mina was able to read. With a spark, the lights went out, and Mina was alone in the dark.

It wasn't long after that she heard the first of the noises in the darkness.